The Lenexa City Center is on its way to becoming the heart of the suburb.
The multi-use center is near 87th and Renner. It's home to Park University, a rotating art gallery, an auditorium, an open-air kitchen, and the soon-to-open Public Market.
Set to open on July 31, the Public Market will be a dining experience new to the Kansas City area. The 11,000-square-foot artisan dining hall is mostly food focused but there will be some pop up shops to buy gifts.
"It's a national trend in restauranting right now," said Mike Noland, assistant to the city administrator.
Noland explained it is an easy way for new entrepreneurs to enter the marketplace because they split utility costs with other tenants.
"We have the ability for them to open up their first physical location and it be a small enough space they don't take a huge risk in opening a store front in a strip center somewhere,” Noland said.
That's where Katie Liu-Sung is at right now. She's getting ready to open a new restaurant called Chewology, which is similar to Japanese tapas BBQ.
She said when they open they will have a rotating menu, along with some staples.
"We focus on a Japanese pan-fried dumpling," said Liu-Sung, who also plans to have happy hour specials.
Chewology joins other well-established restaurants like The Roasterie, Foo's Fabulous Cafe, Topp’d Pizza + Salads, and a new liquid nitrogen ice cream spot called Mad Marilyn's Treats.
The market holds 300 people and also includes an open-air test kitchen. Tenants can use that four times a year to host different cooking experiences.
"People will come teach classes and do chef's dinners," explained Carmen Chopp, the Public Market manager.
If you're wondering what else is in the center, luxury apartments, homes, a rec center, and other retail are all springing up. A Johnson Country library branch is also breaking ground in the fall -- all just steps away from what is sure to be a bustling dining hall.
"When we open it will be the food destination in Kansas City. It will be brand new, first of its kind. Food focused. If you're a foodie, this is where you want to be," said Chopp.
The Lenexa Public Market will plan different events in the month of September to celebrate its opening.
